Scientific investigation of the Minsterley Maidens’ crowns
Resource type
Journal article
Date published
July 10, 2023
Abstract
25 samples were taken from seven eighteenth-century commemorative Maidens’ Garlands and Crowns from Minsterley, Shropshire. The samples were investigated by digital microscopy, macro-X-ray fluorescence scanning, Raman microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The study intended to obtain as much information as possible on the making of the crowns, in order to help date them and inform their conservation, care and display. The samples included fragments of wallpaper, textiles and metal coupons. The analyses revealed that traditional materials were present, including indigo, Prussian blue, carbon black, gypsum and iron sulfate, shedding light on ephemeral, everyday items that rarely survive to the present day. This project showcases how national infrastructure can be put to the service of small regional entities that do not have in-house scientific expertise and equipment for the investigation of local cultural heritage artefacts. It also shows how such external support is essential to inform decision making by the caretaker of these objects in regional collections. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Funder
| Funder name | Awards |
Arts and Humanities Research Council | AH/V012134/1 |
Journal title
European Physical Journal Plus
Volume
138
Issue
7
Article number
602
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
eISSN
2190-5444
Date accepted
June 20, 2023
Official URL
Rights statement
In Copyright